Oklahoma Sooners drop in latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll

The latest edition of the USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll has once again highlighted the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball, with the Oklahoma Sooners experiencing a notable drop in the rankings. For a team that has historically been a force in the sport, this recent slide is a significant event, sparking conversations and reflections on what it means for the future of the program. As the Sooners continue to navigate their season, the question is: What led to this decline, and how can they regroup and remain competitive in a highly competitive NCAA Women’s Basketball scene?

A Historic Program in Transition

Before delving into the reasons behind the drop in the rankings, it’s important to remember the context of the Oklahoma Sooners’ women’s basketball program. Over the past several years, the Sooners have been a powerhouse, consistently competing at a high level in the Big 12 Conference and beyond. Under head coach Sherri Coale, the Sooners reached multiple NCAA Tournaments, with notable appearances in Final Fours and Sweet 16s, establishing a reputation as one of the premier programs in women’s college basketball.

Oklahoma has also produced some of the top talent in the country, including players who have gone on to have successful careers in the WNBA. These successes, paired with the program’s tradition of excellence, have contributed to the Sooners maintaining a top-tier position in the national rankings year after year. However, as with many programs in college basketball, the transition from one generation of players to the next is a challenging process that can take time to fully navigate.

The 2024-2025 season has presented a few hurdles for the Sooners, causing them to fall in the rankings. While they remain a talented team, the combination of youth, changes in personnel, and other external factors has led to some inconsistency in their play, which has ultimately contributed to their drop in the poll.

Factors Contributing to the Drop in the Rankings

1. Inconsistent Play and Injury Concerns

One of the primary reasons for the drop in the rankings is the inconsistency in the Sooners’ play on the court. As any basketball fan knows, consistency is key to achieving sustained success, and the Sooners have struggled to find that rhythm this season. In particular, their offensive production has been up and down. While they have had explosive performances in certain games, they’ve also had stretches where they’ve failed to execute offensively, leading to losses or close games against opponents they would typically be expected to beat handily.

In addition to the inconsistency in performance, injuries have also played a role in Oklahoma’s slide. Basketball is a physically demanding sport, and losing key players to injury can throw a team off balance, especially when those players are integral to the team’s offensive or defensive schemes. While Oklahoma has managed to maintain a level of depth, injuries to important contributors can make a big difference, as they affect both the team’s rotations and the overall chemistry on the court.

The physical nature of college basketball means that teams must be adaptable, and Oklahoma has faced challenges in overcoming injuries to its lineup. These setbacks have made it difficult for the Sooners to maintain their typical level of dominance, and as a result, their performance has suffered, leading to a drop in the rankings.

2. Losses to Ranked Opponents

Another contributing factor to Oklahoma’s drop in the rankings is the number of losses they’ve suffered to ranked opponents. The NCAA Women’s Basketball landscape is stacked with talented teams, and facing ranked opponents is always a significant challenge. However, the Sooners’ losses to top-ranked teams have been particularly impactful in the coaches’ poll.

While losses to teams like Baylor, Texas, and others are understandable given their respective rankings and success, the margin of defeat in some of these games has raised concerns. Losing in a competitive, tightly contested match can often be written off as a result of strong competition, but blowout losses or games in which the Sooners struggle to keep pace with top-ranked teams can harm their national standing.

Oklahoma has yet to find a way to overcome these losses and avoid the kind of defeats that can significantly impact their standing in the poll. To remain among the upper echelons of women’s basketball, the Sooners will need to figure out how to close out games against these higher-ranked teams or at least make a competitive push to avoid lopsided defeats.

3. Youth and Leadership Changes

While the Sooners have a talented roster, they are currently navigating a period of transition, with several new faces playing crucial roles. The departure of key players from previous seasons has left a void in leadership and experience, which can take time to fill. College basketball teams thrive when they have experienced players who can step up in big moments, and the Sooners have been searching for that consistency.

The team’s younger players have shown flashes of brilliance but are still working through the process of adjusting to the pressures of Division I basketball. Their ability to perform at the highest level is still developing, and it’s clear that as they mature and gain experience, the team’s performance will likely improve. However, in the meantime, the lack of veteran leadership and experience has been evident in their on-court performance, contributing to some of the inconsistencies that have resulted in losses.

Sherri Coale, who retired after the 2021-2022 season, was a beloved coach who brought stability and success to the program. Since her departure, the program has been under new leadership, and adjusting to the different coaching styles and philosophies has been a learning curve for the players. A new coach often brings a different approach to the game, and it can take time for players to fully adjust to these changes, especially when it comes to team chemistry and leadership. Oklahoma’s current head coach, Jennie Baranczyk, is in the process of implementing her system, but it’s clear that this period of transition is a factor in the team’s current struggles.

4. Defensive Struggles

While the Sooners have been known for their fast-paced offense, their defensive play has at times been a major weakness. In some of their losses, Oklahoma’s defense has been unable to contain their opponents, allowing big runs and scoring spurts that have ultimately sealed their fate. The ability to get stops and control the tempo of the game is vital to any successful team, and Oklahoma has yet to find the defensive consistency needed to compete with the best teams in the country.

Improving on defense will be crucial for the Sooners as they move forward. Whether it’s tightening up their perimeter defense, improving their shot-blocking, or limiting second-chance opportunities, Oklahoma must find ways to slow down opposing offenses and prevent big scoring runs. Until they improve on that end of the floor, it’s likely that they will continue to struggle against top competition and experience further drops in the rankings.

What’s Next for Oklahoma Women’s Basketball?

Despite their recent struggles and the drop in the rankings, the Oklahoma Sooners still have a wealth of talent on their roster, and the season is far from over. There are several ways in which the team can regain their footing and begin to climb back up the rankings:

1. Developing Young Talent: As previously mentioned, the Sooners are in a phase of transition with many younger players playing significant roles. These players need time to adjust, but with more experience, they will likely become more effective. The coaching staff’s ability to nurture these young talents and help them gain confidence will be crucial.
2. Improving Defensive Efforts: One of the team’s most immediate areas for improvement is their defense. If the Sooners can shore up their defensive weaknesses and become more consistent on that end of the floor, they’ll be better equipped to compete in the Big 12 and beyond.
3. Gaining Experience Under Coach Baranczyk: The transition to a new coaching staff takes time, and Jennie Baranczyk’s leadership and philosophy will continue to take root as the season progresses. Once the team fully adapts to her system, they may start to find more success on the court.
4. Capitalizing on Opportunities: The Sooners’ schedule features several challenging games, but there are also opportunities for redemption. With key matchups against ranked teams still to come, Oklahoma has the chance to prove themselves by taking down higher-ranked opponents and improving their overall standing.

A New Chapter for Oklahoma Women’s Basketball

The drop in the USA TODAY Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll is a setback for the Oklahoma Sooners, but it is by no means a reflection of their long-term potential. With a mix of young talent, a new coaching staff, and an established tradition of excellence, the Sooners are well-positioned to bounce back. However, they must address their current issues—especially their defensive struggles and offensive inconsistencies—if they hope to regain their place among the nation’s elite teams.

As the season unfolds, the Sooners will look to learn from their experiences and continue developing as a team. Whether or not they can return to the upper echelons of the rankings will depend on how they adapt to the challenges they face in the coming months. But one thing is for certain: the future remains bright for Oklahoma women’s basketball, and the Sooners will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA.